Chapter 16

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"Good luck!"

"It's break a— oh." Ashlyn stopped herself. "I guess I'm used to correcting people before putting in a show." She chucked. Kourtney joined in.

"Actually, don't break a leg, that would be a lousy date."

"Definitely." She giggled. "Okay, well... see you later, what are you up to?"

"I'm gonna go check on Howie. He's been acting strange."

"Good luck to you too." Ashlyn hugged her roommate.

"Now go, don't be late."

"Do you think I'm gonna be late?" Her eyes widened.

"Oh my— he's your friend first, he doesn't care if you're 2 minutes late. In fact, he might be late. Don't freak out."

"Right, sorry." She took a deep breath.

"Bye."

"Bye." She made a small smile that masked her nerves. She started making her way to his dorm.

"Ash!" She heard from behind her, causing her to turn around.

"I thought we were meeting—"

"I thought—" Big Red came to a stop beside her, panting. "I thought we were meeting at your place."

"Um... okay, great start. I guess we didn't make many plans."

"I was too excited."

"Good, so was I." She smiled. "Alright, so..."

"Where do you wanna eat?" He asked. "Fair warning, I'm allergic to... most things."

"Then you pick." She laughed.

"Yeah, but... I asked you out." He frowned slightly.

"I really don't care, I promise." She smiled softly.

Of course, he still scanned his brain for any restaurant nearby she could possibly like before suggesting multiple and letting her pick from them.


"And the stars are out!" Ashlyn beamed, sitting down in the grass. Her not-quite-boyfriend sat beside her. They had been out for nearly 3 hours now, both of them having nothing but fun as their nerves quickly had left. Eventually they laid down, because they were having to crane their necks.

"I see why you like them so much."

"They're just... so beautiful. They're so bright, and they just leave you wondering about the entire universe and beyond— but somehow not in a way that's terrifying."

"Yeah." He replied, feeling his hand brush against hers. His first instinct was to pull away, he did not want to make her uncomfortable. He calmed down enough to just leave his hand there, but he didn't hold hers.

Until she took his hand. He turned almost the color of his hair.

In all honesty, Ashlyn couldn't have noticed less. It felt natural between them somehow. Plus, she was drawn in by the stars and had almost no awareness of her surroundings. It was calming. She continued staring at the sky with a small smile on her face.

"I take it this was a good date idea?" It was a genuine question. He was still oblivious to anything regarding their relationship.

"The whole date was a good idea." She broke her focus from the stars and rolled over to look at him. They were about 5 inches apart. "It was perfect."

"I'm glad. I really, really like you Ash."

"I really, really like you too." She smiled. He smiled in return. "Your smile's like the stars." She said simply, rolling back over to look at the sky.

"Uh... I'm not in space." He said, which caused her to giggle.

"I just mean... bright. Beautiful. And I guess it kinda does leave you wondering— or it does for me, probably not all our friends, because it's a question of... how long I get to see that smile. Just the curiosity of love or the process of getting there in our case— hopefully." She smiled shyly, blushing.

"Ashlyn Moon—" he cut himself off. "Did your parents just know you'd be obsessed with the sky?"

"It's a pretty weird coincidence, I like it."

"Your whole name is really pretty—" he cleared his throat, blushing at the compliment he had given— how could she make him so comfortable and so tongue tied? "Anyways, um, Ashlyn..."

"Yeah?"

"I assume we both liked this date?"

"God yes."

"Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked inaudibly. Maybe it was cliche, but he really couldn't get it out— she was so beautiful, she was so perfect, she was everything—

"I didn't catch that, sorry..." she smiled at him softly, sensing his nerves.

"Um, Ash, will you be my girlfriend?" He managed confidently. She sat up. He followed suit, furrowing his eyebrows. She looked at him for a few seconds, admiring him, before hugging him.

"I'd love to."

"Great." He smiled, returning to his calm state he usually had when with her. He hugged her back, lightly rubbing her back.

"This was a really great night."

"I loved it."

"Me too, thanks again for inviting me."

"Of course, thanks for saying yes. I was pretty nervous, despite Kourtney assuirng me you'd say yes—" he started. She giggled.

"She kept telling me you liked me."

"Me too."

"It was kinda annoying, but I guess I'm pretty glad she didn't say you had said you liked me— it brought us here." She smiled.

"Yeah, I don't think I'd have it any other way." He leaned onto her shoulder, his arms now falling around her waist but the hug continuing.


"So... why'd you come again?" Howie asked Kourtney nervously once they had (very awkwardly) settled down in the dorm. What if she had found out why he had been acting different? Well, he hadn't told anyone, so it would have to be a suspicion, but—

"I'm worried."

"What?"

"About you." She scooted closer to him. He scooted away, picking at some fuzz on the couch and avoiding eye contact.

"Er, how come?"

"Come on, you know you've been off." She said, to which he made a weak nod. "You can trust me."

"That's the problem." He muttered.

"What?"

"You're the only person I can trust."

"We can work on your friendships, build trust—"

"I don't want to loose you." He interrupted.

"Why would—"

"I like you Kourtney." He said, putting his face in his hands. "I want to date you."

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